Marker's dedication to highlight ‘cradle of education' in Mills River

School opened doors in 1790s; ceremony set for April 7

Published: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 7:45 p.m.

MILLS RIVER — Recognizing Henderson County's educational history is the motivation behind a ceremony April 7 to dedicate a historic marker at Mills River Academy.

The area of Mills River where the marker will be placed has special significance, said Tom Orr, retired educator and an ex-officio member of the committee.

"We have historically referred to that Mills River area, which includes the school and Mills River Presbyterian Church, as ‘the cradle of education' in Henderson County because it was there that education as we know it developed," he said.

James Brittain, a Revolutionary War soldier and early pioneer in Mills River, donated the land for the school.

The Henderson County Education History Initiative Steering Committee is hosting the marker dedication from 2-4 p.m. The committee researches, publicizes and preserves the education history of the county.

Mills River Elementary, which has had different names including Mills River Academy throughout the years, first opened its doors in the late 1790s. Children in the area were attending the school 40 years before the state established a public school system, Orr said.

The second floor of the school was used as a meeting house for religious groups. The school was also used as a center for political activities, hosting the Court of Pleas and Common Sessions before the courthouse was built in Hendersonville, he said.

The marker will be placed in front of the old Mills River Elementary School building, which was renamed Mills River Academy a couple of years ago, said Rick Wood, committee member and Henderson County School Board member. Mills River Academy houses the district's Information Technology Department and serves as a training center for personnel.

The marker is designed to honor the historic school when the facility was called Mills River Academy, Orr said. It is unclear whether the original site is specifically where the new elementary school stands now.

The marker will read: "A few hundred yards west of here, Mills River Academy once stood on land set aside by James Brittain in the late 1790s. It served as an important early center for education, worship services and county government in what is now Henderson County."

Orr and Wood said they hope the dedication gets a good response from the community.

"It's our heritage — it's who we are as a people," Orr said. "If we lose it, if we don't remember it, then we are diminished if we do not respect and honor the history of our county in every aspect, and education is the key."

The committee is raising money for the marker. Donations can be made to the Henderson County Education Foundation (put Mills River event-HCEHI in the note section of the check). Checks can be mailed to Rick Wood, 2206 Evergreen Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

<p>MILLS RIVER — Recognizing Henderson County's educational history is the motivation behind a ceremony April 7 to dedicate a historic marker at Mills River Academy.</p><p>The area of Mills River where the marker will be placed has special significance, said Tom Orr, retired educator and an ex-officio member of the committee.</p><p>"We have historically referred to that Mills River area, which includes the school and Mills River Presbyterian Church, as 'the cradle of education' in Henderson County because it was there that education as we know it developed," he said. </p><p>James Brittain, a Revolutionary War soldier and early pioneer in Mills River, donated the land for the school. </p><p>The Henderson County Education History Initiative Steering Committee is hosting the marker dedication from 2-4 p.m. The committee researches, publicizes and preserves the education history of the county.</p><p>Mills River Elementary, which has had different names including Mills River Academy throughout the years, first opened its doors in the late 1790s. Children in the area were attending the school 40 years before the state established a public school system, Orr said.</p><p>The second floor of the school was used as a meeting house for religious groups. The school was also used as a center for political activities, hosting the Court of Pleas and Common Sessions before the courthouse was built in Hendersonville, he said.</p><p>The marker will be placed in front of the old Mills River Elementary School building, which was renamed Mills River Academy a couple of years ago, said Rick Wood, committee member and Henderson County School Board member. Mills River Academy houses the district's Information Technology Department and serves as a training center for personnel.</p><p>The marker is designed to honor the historic school when the facility was called Mills River Academy, Orr said. It is unclear whether the original site is specifically where the new elementary school stands now. </p><p>The marker will read: "A few hundred yards west of here, Mills River Academy once stood on land set aside by James Brittain in the late 1790s. It served as an important early center for education, worship services and county government in what is now Henderson County."</p><p>Orr and Wood said they hope the dedication gets a good response from the community.</p><p>"It's our heritage — it's who we are as a people," Orr said. "If we lose it, if we don't remember it, then we are diminished if we do not respect and honor the history of our county in every aspect, and education is the key."</p><p>The committee is raising money for the marker. Donations can be made to the Henderson County Education Foundation (put Mills River event-HCEHI in the note section of the check). Checks can be mailed to Rick Wood, 2206 Evergreen Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28792. </p><p>Reach Kelley at 828-694-7871 or leigh.kelley@blueridgenow.com.</p>